The International Health Partnership Launched Today

A new international partnership was launched today that will help build national health systems in some of the poorest countries in the world. It will mean healthier people, living longer lives. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, Ministers from developing countries and donor countries, and leaders from all of the major health agencies and foundations, launched it today at 10 Downing Street. The International Health Partnership aims to improve the way that international agencies, donors and poor countries work together to develop and implement health plans, creating and improving health services for poor people and ultimately saving more lives. Seven ‘first wave’ countries in Africa and Asia today announced that they would join the new International Health Partnership, which is supported by donor governments and agencies representing half of the world’s aid spending on health, which totals $14 billion. The seven in the first wave are Burundi, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal and Zambia. These countries have agreed that they would benefit from closer donor and international partner coordination as they work to improve the health of their people. Donor countries and agencies that signed today’s partnership agreement are: The United KingdomNorway Germany CanadaItalyThe NetherlandsFrancePortugalWorld Health Organisation European CommissionWorld Bank UNAIDS UNFPA GAVI Alliance UNICEF Bill and Melinda Gates FoundationAfrican Development BankGlobal Fund to Fight HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis and MalariaUN Development Group